Garfield Chapter 322 sets local procedures for handling abandoned vehicles, including holding periods, notification, custodian fees, and public auction disposal.
Whenever the City takes possession of a motor vehicle found abandoned on a public street or other city property, the Police Department reports it to the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles and the National Automobile Theft Bureau under N.J.S.A. 39:10A-1. After the Police Department is satisfied that proper notification has been received or sufficient owner-location efforts have been made, a holding period of 15 business days applies to junked vehicles and 20 business days for other vehicles. A custodian application to dispose of a vehicle requires a $7 fee, and the Police Department may authorize public auction with proceeds applied to costs and the balance going to the City of Garfield.
Vehicle owners failing to claim an abandoned vehicle within the holding period lose the vehicle through public auction; custodians who skip the application process may forfeit recovery of fees.
See how other cities in Bergen County handle abandoned vehicles.
See how Garfield's abandoned vehicles rules stack up against other locations.
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